Despite being diagnosed with a herniated disk, Simona Halep was practicing in Moscow this week in preparation for the Kremlin Cup.

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At home in Romanian before flying to Moscow, the world No. 1 even enjoyed court time with her niece. She indicated that her practice has been progressing.

"I haven't practiced 100 percent yet but today, tomorrow, I will do close to 100," Halep said in a recent conference call, "and I will be able to know better the next day."

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Though she was on the practice court, as of Monday, her participation in both Moscow and the WTA Finals was still up in the air. On Tuesday, she withdrew from the Kremlin Cup, where she was the top seed.

No matter what happens with the rest of the season, Halep has already clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking for the second year in a row.

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Lucky loser Valentini Grammatikopoulou replaces Halep in the Moscow draw.

Despite practice,
Halep pulls out of
Moscow

Despite practice, Halep pulls out of Moscow

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